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Science News Archive February 2014


Page 28 of 30

JCI early table of contents for Feb. 3, 2014

Researchers found that methylation patterns in acute myeloid leukemia patient samples were prognostic for overall survival. A novel biomarker for lysosomal storage disorders was also identified by correlating relative acidic compartment volumes with clinical severity.

New technique could be used to search space dust for life's ingredients

Researchers found amino acids and biologically important molecules in carbon-rich meteorites, suggesting that extraterrestrial material may have played a role in the origin of life. The new technique allows for analysis of tiny samples, enabling future studies on cometary particles and sample-return missions.

UC researchers at ground control in launching the fastest plane of the future

University of Cincinnati researchers are developing validation metrics that could help predict the success or failure of hypersonic aircraft. The metrics involve principal component analysis (PCA) decomposition of simulation and test data to measure uncertainty, which will ultimately determine the success in building such a plane.

Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for Feb. 4, 2014

The American College of Physicians and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released an updated adult immunization schedule for 2014. Key changes include the removal of health care worker vaccination as an indication and updated recommendations for certain adults at increased risk for Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) i...

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

New maps highlight habitat corridors in the tropics

The study creates maps of habitat corridors connecting protected areas in the tropics to conserve biodiversity and mitigate climate change. The corridors provide opportunities for carbon sequestration and avoiding emissions from deforestation.

Experts issue 'blueprint for action' to combat shortages of life-saving drugs

A group of experts has proposed concrete steps to prevent and manage drug shortages, including sharing scarce drugs and giving equal priority to patients. The 'blueprint for action' aims to move away from reactive strategies and focus on prevention, ensuring life-saving medications are accessible to children with cancer and beyond.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

New technique makes 'biogasoline' from plant waste

Researchers at UC Davis have invented a technique to produce gasoline-like fuels from cellulosic materials like farm and forestry waste. This breakthrough could lead to a larger market for renewable fuels beyond existing diesel substitutes.

Data-driven team is key to sustaining positive behavior framework in schools

A new study emphasizes the importance of a data-driven team in launching and sustaining a School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) framework. The study found that an effective school-based team using data for decision-making was more critical to sustainability than principal support.

Quasi-particle swap between graphene layers

Belgian scientists applied a particle physics analogy to describe exciton behaviour in two graphene layers, mimicking parallel worlds. The approach reveals swapping effects between layers under specific electromagnetic conditions, similar to brane theory predictions.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Solving a physics mystery: Those 'solitons' are really vortex rings

UW physicists debunk the 'heavy soliton' mystery by revealing it's actually a quantum equivalent of smoke rings, shedding light on nuclear dynamics and neutron star behavior. The research uses state-of-the-art computing techniques to demonstrate that virtually all aspects of the phenomenon can be explained by vortex rings.

Symptoms of depression causally linked to risk of coronary heart disease in UK

A recent study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found a causal link between depression symptoms and an increased risk of coronary heart disease. In contrast, no such association was found with stroke risk. The Whitehall II study, which followed over 10,000 civil servants in the UK for 20 years, suggests that r...

In the brain the number of neurons in a network may not matter

A new study published in PNAS found that recording the activity of just 50 neurons can accurately capture the behavior of larger neural networks. This challenges decades-long research on response time and accumulator models in psychology and neuroscience.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Hot weather deaths projected to rise 257 percent by 2050s, experts warn

The number of excess deaths caused by hot weather in England and Wales is projected to surge by 257% by the mid-2050s due to climate change and population growth. The elderly, particularly those aged 75+, will be most at risk, with rising temperatures expected to lead to increased mortality.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Better access to healthy foods is not enough to tackle obesity

A new study by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found that opening a new supermarket in a low-income community did not lead to significant changes in diet or reduced obesity rates. Despite improvements in residents' perceptions of food accessibility, only 27% of residents adopted the new supermarket as their main food store.

How a shape-shifting DNA-repair machine fights cancer

Researchers studied how a protein complex called Mre11-Rad50 reshapes itself to take on different DNA-repair tasks, revealing insights into its dynamic structure and biological outcomes. The findings could guide the development of better cancer-fighting therapies and more effective gene therapies.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Diamond film possible without the pressure

Scientists at Rice University and Russia have calculated a road map for creating ultra-thin diamond films without high pressure. The 'phase diagram' outlines conditions necessary to turn stacked graphene sheets into flawless diamond lattices, with potential applications in nanocapacitors, electronics, and nano-optics.

How smartphones help find avalanche victims

Researchers have developed a smartphone-based system that can locate buried avalanche victims using satellite navigation, promising faster and more precise rescue operations. The Galileo-LawinenFon system uses the combined signals of GPS, Galileo, and GLONASS satellite systems to pinpoint accident victims in seconds.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

INRS receives 7 NSERC Strategic Project Grants

INRS received seven NSERC Strategic Project Grants, totaling $3.5 million, to tackle scientific and technological challenges in ITC, materials, and environmental sciences. The funding supports projects such as developing new broadband RF signal processing and infrared subcyclic impulse lasers.

Mosquito sperm have 'sense of smell'

Researchers at Vanderbilt University discovered that mosquito sperm contain a suite of specialized chemical sensors called odorant receptors, which drive the rapid increase in movement. These findings suggest a new paradigm for regulating insect reproduction and could provide a powerful approach for controlling insect populations.

Is high blood pressure the new HIV epidemic?

A group of experts warn that high blood pressure could be as devastating to global health as HIV, with potentially more deaths over the next 20 years. Despite similarities between the two conditions, there is 'denial' and misunderstanding about hypertension's impact, hindering effective treatment and management.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Hypertensive patients' specialty use changed with medical home

A recent study by Group Health Research Institute found that patients with treated hypertension had 27-28% fewer specialty visits after implementing a patient-centered medical home. In contrast, clinically complex patients with multiple diseases saw a 3-5% increase in specialty use during the first two years after implementation.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Cell division finding could boost understanding of cancer

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh identified shugoshin as a critical protein in ensuring accurate cell division. The study found that disabling shugoshin led to increased abnormal chromosome numbers, highlighting its importance in preventing aneuploidy and potentially cancer.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

New guideline recommends delaying dialysis for chronic kidney disease

A new guideline from the Canadian Society of Nephrology recommends delaying dialysis for asymptomatic adults with chronic kidney disease, citing improved quality of life and cost savings. The 'intent-to-defer' strategy avoids the burden of early start, while still closely monitoring patients.

Adolescents' salt intake correlates with obesity, inflammation

A new study reveals that adolescents consuming excessive salt are more likely to develop obesity and chronic inflammation. The research, published in the journal Pediatrics, found a significant correlation between sodium intake and fatness, even when calories were controlled for.

Blue light may fight fatigue around the clock

Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that blue light exposure improves alertness and performance during the day and night, reducing fatigue. The study used specialized equipment to compare the effects of blue and green light on 16 participants, showing significant improvements in alertness and reaction times.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Study's results encourage expectant monitoring for women with hypertension

Researchers found that routine delivery did not decrease maternal complications but increased neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, while expectant monitoring reduced risks in both mothers and babies. The study suggests that expectant monitoring should be considered for women with hypertensive disorders between 34-37 weeks of pregnancy.

New scientific field looks at the big picture

The new field of macrosystems ecology is being touted as a solution to tackle environmental problems such as climate change and invasive species. By integrating biology with other fields and using vast amounts of data, ecologists can study complex systems at broad scales.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Simple, at-home test will detect most colorectal cancers

A new evidence review finds that fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) detect about 79% of colorectal cancers and correctly identify 94% of patients without cancer. The test is simple, can be done at home, and can save lives, making it a great tool for assessing which patients have cancer and which do not.

Your brain is fine-tuning its wiring throughout your life

A new study published in Biological Psychiatry investigates the relationship between age and neurocognitive performance in 296 healthy volunteers. The researchers found that white matter tracts developed during adolescence and young adulthood are associated with learning, memory, and planning abilities.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Discovery aids in fight against antifungal drug resistance

Researchers have determined the complex structure of a key cell membrane protein involved in sterol metabolism and resistance in a yeast model. The study's findings provide new insights into mechanisms underlying fungal resistance to triazole drugs, which can help develop new broad-spectrum drugs with minimal side effects.